Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1887-03-03
CoNsEcRATE0x.
subject Of Discussion at the Preabyferian
Church Lat Night.

Church Lat Night.
The following is an abstract Of the sub
iect discussed at the prayer-meeting in
the Presbyterian Church last night, In
which the pastor said
A consecrated person is one set apart to
a sacred work or duty. The christian Is
one thus set apart to the work Of his Lord
He is a servant of God and Is bound to do
all he can for the honor of His name. and
the advancement of His cause.
There are certain characteristics that
belong to the christian. as they do not
belong to the people of the world The
Apostle says AS many as are led by
the spirit Of God, they are the sons Of
God" They are governed by the Holy
Spirit, bear some likeness to God, have
the affection of God and are heirs of His
promises.
Obedience is another trait of the chris
tian character. We know what obedience
is in the soldier. When he knows the
mind of his superior, he goes forth with
ont questioning TO perform it. So the
christian promptly, willingly, goes forth
to do what hrist requires. Christ says:
He that hath my commandments, and
keepeth them, he IL is that loveth me-
Continuance In the service of God is
another characteristic of the christian
We have no right to think that we are
christians. If we enter this service, and
after a brief period give it up, as too many
do. The true christian is steadfast, firm,
resolute, determined. even in the midst
Of temptation and trial, to serve God He
perseveres by the blessing and assistance
of God, and feels that he is to serve God
not for few months only, but for life
time. Christ says to us IF We continue
in my word, then are ye my disciples in
deed.
Another thing that distinguishes the
christian from the man of the world is
the presence of Christ Christ is not only
one to whom we may go, and one who IS
near, but also one who dwells in us. As
the presence of God made the temple a
holy, a consecrated place, so does the in
dwelling of Christ make us consecrated
persons. AS we are the temple of Christ,
we should carefully guard these hearts
from error aud sin, and should look upon
one another as persons In whom Christ
dwells. The Apostle says II am cru
Gifted with Christ; nevertheless / live; yet
not /, but Christ liveth in me-
Then again, the christian does not live
according to his own will, or for his own
pleasure. He is at the Lord disposal.
He thinks of clarifying God in duty and
in trial. That is the chief end of his life.
He says with the Apostle: For whether
we live, we live unto the Lord and wheth
err we die, we die unto the Lord; whether
we live therefore, or die, we are the
lords"
The rewards of the christian are GER
tain The world is not able to assure us
Of the prizes 1t has to offer. Others may
outrun us in the race. We may lose our
health or our life before we reach them.
But there is no uncertainty in the prom
Uses God has made to us. The Apostle
says Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be We steadfast, immovable, always
Astounding in the work of the Lord, for
asmuch as We know that your labor is not
in vain in the Lord.
Now if these things be so, our lives
ought to show that we are living under
the influence of them. The pleasures of
the world ought not to captivate us. The
trials of life ought not to alarm us. We
ought to live a life Of devotion TO the SER
vice of God "a life thoroughly consecrated
to Master who has set us such beauti-
full example, and presents such an exceed
ing great reward.